Days out this April

Spring has finally sprung… if only someone would tell the weather forecasters!

We’ve got a choice of days out on Friday 6th. Follow a truly atmospheric route with the Jack the Ripper tour. It goes straight into the old, narrow alleyways where you will feel like you’ve been transported back to the mean streets of the Victorian East End.

Alternatively, if you’d like a bit of retail therapy, join us at Romford Market. It is considered to be one of the best street markets in the south-east with more than 150 traders pitching out their stalls.

Sunday 8th is one for all you foodies out there. How about a delicious Sunday lunch with no cooking and, best of all, no washing up. Sounds good doesn’t it. We’ve got a scenic drive to the Best Western Clifton Hotel in Folkestone, followed by a tasty meal.

We’re heading to Ipswich on Tuesday 10th. Suffolk’s county town is perfect for shopping with all your High Street brands, as well as independent shops and boutiques.

Friday 13th is a day at Ascot. Don’t worry about being unlucky on the horses, as our day break is for the inaugural Spring Garden Show. You can look forward to visiting six inspiring show gardens, peruse a fine array of horticultural trade exhibitors, purchase plants from a range of specialist plant nurseries, enjoy free talks and receive personal gardening advice from horticultural experts.

We’re back up to Suffolk on Saturday 14th. This time we head to two delightful coastal towns – Aldeburgh and Southwold. These are English seaside resorts as they used to be, with sandy beaches, an iconic lighthouse and splendid pier.

Ham House and Gardens is our destination on Tuesday 17th. It’s a 400-year-old treasure trove waiting to be discovered and one of a series of grand houses and palaces alongside the River Thames.

There’s more shopping on Saturday 21st when we check-in at St Albans. Steeped in history with a special Royal Charter, the market offers an excellent shopping experience.

Visit H.Foreman & Son’s smokehouse on Thursday 26th for a unique tour and tasting. Take your picnic lunch on board a boat for a two hour cruise of the forgotten rivers of East London.

Finally, on Saturday 28th, we’re off to Chichester. One of the great well-preserved Georgian cities in the UK, it has played a key role of the affairs of Sussex since at least Roman times. The city centre’s broad streets are packed with listed buildings, with the list headed by the towering presence of Chichester Cathedral.

• To book any of these day breaks, with pick ups throughout Malling and Maidstone, call 01732 845656